To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
That which is not worth contemplating in life, is not worth recreating in art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art should reflect what is significant and meaningful in life.
This quote by Ayn Rand emphasizes the idea that art must be a reflection of profound truths and significant experiences in life. If a concept or experience is not worthy of deep thought or contemplation, then it does not have enough value to be represented in any artistic form, suggesting that genuine art emerges from the essence of meaningful human experiences.
Themes
ArtContemplationMeaningLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of art in society, this quote can highlight the relationship between life experiences and artistic expression.
More from Ayn Rand
All quotes →The difference between animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but humans change the environment for themselves.
Ayn RandRead
It is my eyes which see, and the sight of my eyes grants beauty to the earth. It is my ears which hear, and the hearing of my ears gives its song to the world. It is my mind which thinks, and the judgement of my mind is the only searchlight that can find the truth. It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect.
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What is the basic, the essential, the crucial principle that differentiates freedom from slavery? It is the principle of voluntary action versus physical coercion or compulsion.
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One method of destroying a concept is by diluting its meaning. Observe that by ascribing rights to the unborn, i.e., the nonliving, the anti-abortionists obliterate the rights of the living.
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I think that when in doubt about the truth of an issue, it's safer and in better taste to select the least numerous of the adversaries.
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C'est véritablement utile puisque c'est joli. It is truly useful since it is beautiful.
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In the end, fiction is the craft of telling truth through lies.
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